A Wren Says

Yesterday, I wrote about my room at the Fairmont Millenium Park. It was fine, but I can’t see myself coming back, especially adding in my assessment of the food.

Room Service

Night one, I ordered a burger from room service. It’s been the standard that I use to judge all in-room dining services whenever possible. I was unprepared for how disappointed I’d be in the burger. It honestly reminded me of a school lunch. It seemed like they bought preformed freezer patties and fries. No real work on their end and yet it came cold, or just warm.

Lobby Bar

Then I went to get a breakfast sandwich from the lobby café, to use the breakfast credit. The English muffin on my sandwich was soggy. The scone at least tried its best to save things. I didn’t bother using my credit on other days.

Toro

And finally, I was excited to have dinner at Toro, the hotel’s restaurant by Chef Sandoval.

Crispy Prawns: mango melcocha sauce, arugula, chili powder

This was a good start. They were hot, deliciously crisp, and complimented by the sauce well. I would order that again, for sure.

Butternut Squash Soup: roasted squash, coconut foam, pepita, gala apple

The coconut foam and at-table pour of the squash soup made for a beautiful presentation, but that was it. My dinner companion ordered the soup. I was told it was too apple forward, and the foam was pretty but led to a bowl that was unappetizingly cold.

Sweet Corn Empanadas: ají amarillo, avocado purée, spanish manchego cheese, chimichurri

I was told that everything about these empanadas was good except the breading. “But isn’t that the biggest part?” Yes, yes it is.

Cusco Chicken: cusco marinade, criolla salsa, mashed potato, grilled broccolini, charred lemon

I ordered the chicken. The dish came with potatoes and broccolini. They didn’t seem hot. The chicken was charred, so definitely grilled, but seemed to be the only source of flavor. The meat didn’t taste like it had been marinated to make sure the flavor permeated the flesh. Maybe I would have felt different if there were a sauce served on the side.

La Bomba: chocolate half-sphere, selection of housemade ice cream, housemade cookies, fruit coulis

The couple at the table next to us ordered the La Bomba. It’s an ice cream dish served in a chocolate shell that the waiter smashes down on to the table. Pieces of their dessert rolled under my foot. They seemed to enjoy it, but the mess of it in a tight dining space felt unnecessary. But then again, I might have just been bitter because I wasn’t feeling that great about the environment.

The Ambiance: Would you rather be at the club, but don’t want to pay a cover charge?

The music was loud instrumental beats, HEAVY on the bass. I struggled to have a conversation in the intimate dining space. My food didn’t blow me away. I had a growing headache. By the time the samba dancers came out, I was over it. Give me my check so I can leave.

If for some reason I were to stay at this property again, I don’t think I would spend anything on the food. Even if I had hotel credits, I would probably spend it on other things. Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe my sinuses prevented me from fully enjoying nuanced flavors. But maybe it wasn’t that great.

To say that I didn’t like any of my food or dining experience at the Fairmont Millenium Park is the nicest way I can put it. I know that Chicago has great good, it just wasn’t found in the hotel. But if you’ve had a better experience let me know your own thoughts.